'World Traveler' or not?

[bobwire]

Hello, This appears to be a great group and I hope you can help me out with issues from time-to-time that I seem to run into. I do First want to reg. my "Flying Cloud" (1957) with the rest of the FC (#8345). But I also need help with this number... (I220245C) ...it comes from a (1958-59) "World Travler" but this one does not have twin axles. Does the "C" mean, custom?

[azflycaster]

Welcome to the forums. The number you listed breaks down to a 1960 Caravanner or Safari.The numbers run the same. The C=Custom Layout. Here are links to some pictures:
Vintage Airstream - '60 Caravanner
60Safari

[flyfshr]

Here's what I get out of your number: I = International, 22 = 22 foot in length, 0 = 1960, 245 = model off the assembly line in year of production, C = not sure. The Ohio models of World Travelers had the 9 where the zero is in your number sequence. There wasn't really much rhyme or reason to some of the factory's numbering in those days and when one was custom ordered, it really confused things even more. Fred (47weewind), the club historian would know for sure. Hopefully he will chime in.

Does it have the "Custom" badge on it? Why do you think it is a World Traveler since the seven ever built were all dual axles? I think we all need to see pictures. I do know that I want it even without pictures.

Brad
FF

On Edit: Looks like Richard nailed it.

[bobwire]

Hello, just joined but have many vintage campers, the latest flavor of the month is a 1958 or 1959 "world traveler" that has a sn# of ...I220245C"
Can any one give some feedback on this number or insight into this model?

Thank you.

[CanoeStream]

R.J. Dial's Vintage Airstream Home website is thoroughly researched and frequently updated. The info on his website was the basis for the answer you received last night. Compare your serial number with the range at the top of the '60 Caravanner page. You'll see that is a much better match than for the serial numbers for '59 World Travelers.

Discussion for the '60 Caravanner s/n from above webpage:
Ohio | 22 0 226D to 22 0 408T
(I prefix for Int'l options)
D=double-bed layout; T=twin-bed layout; C-Custom layout
This s/n style tells me that sequential production numbers were assigned between 226 and 408. Does this mean 182 were produced? I can't say but this is questionable. Maybe they assigned different #s within the range for a Custom? The International option included 12 volt wiring and pressurized water tanks.

You can help us out by providing more information -- photos from several aspects, photos of the manufacturers tag on the trailer. FYI - the serial number sometimes would be embossed on the A-frame, though I'm not sure about during this period. This would be an interesting Airstream to document if it proves out to be a World Traveler.

[bobwire]

Thank you for all of the attention, I will just have to get some photos posted, wish me luck.

[bobwire]

What is the trick to getting this photo posted?

[CanoeStream]

Resize it until it is less than 100 KB in size. 600x800 is smaller than that but displays very well on everybody's computer screen. See http://www.airforums.com/forums/f138...eds-31829.html

[bobwire]

please tell me this is working..............

[CanoeStream]

Yes bobwire -- the photo shows up very well!

Originally Posted by flyfshr

Here's what I get out of your number: I = International, 22 = 22 foot in length, 0 = 1960, 245 = model off the assembly line in year of production, C = not sure. The Ohio models of World Travelers had the 9 where the zero is in your number sequence. There wasn't really much rhyme or reason to some of the factory's numbering in those days and when one was custom ordered, it really confused things even more. Fred (47WeeWind), the club historian would know for sure. Hopefully he will chime in.

Brad, I remember Shari has corrected me before -- at the time I was interpreting the '0' to mean Overlander (led astray by this Airstream FAQ). I couldn't find that post but here is her explanation a different time. I'm getting confused -- and R.J. Dial doesn't have any examples of the '58 World Traveler on his site either. Were any of these made in '60? That makes the most sense.

It's time and I'll PM Shari & Fred and ask if they can look in at this thread.

[flyfshr]

It is most definately a World Traveler and shoots the existing theory full of holes of there only being seven made since the serial number is so high along with the Land Yacht placques only being on '59 and a few early '60 models. This appears to be a very unique trailer and it should be thoroughly photo documented in its current condition. Wooo Hoo!!

And yes, I still want it, even more so now.

Brad
FF

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by bobwire

Hello, This appears to be a great group and I hope you can help me out with issues from time-to-time that I seem to run into. I do First want to reg. my "Flying Cloud" (1957) with the rest of the FC (#8345). But I also need help with this number... (I220245C) ...it comes from a (1958-59) "World Travler" but this one does not have twin axles. Does the "C" mean, custom?

Hi Bob:

First, welcome to the Forums! Others have correctly decoded the serial number and identified the model year as 1960, and the World Traveler name plate identifies it as that model. Yes, the "C" suffix means custom, and the custom feature in this case may be the absence of tandem axles on a World Traveler or perhaps other features.

It will be interesting to study photos or a sketch of the interior floor plan to see whether it follows the layout of the tandem axle World Travelers or has a different layout, perhaps one based on another 1960 model trailer. Since it is a custom trailer, if it has a modified floor plan from another 1960 model, it might have been given a World Traveler name plate after the tandem axle model has been discontinued. Or, it might be the heretofore unknown single axle successor to its tandem axle sibling.

This will be a fun trailer to learn more about. Please post some photos at your earliest convenience. Thanks!

[66Overlander]

This is the 2nd "supposedly" World Traveler that I have seen that was not a 22' tandem axle trailer. The other one was a 26' single axle that was for sale a few months ago:

Vintage Campers

On that one, being a 1955 model, I sort of assumed that the name plate was added at a later time as it did not fit the World Traveler template. Also, the name plate was not attached with bucked rivets, so it could have easily been added later.

Yours is closer to the template and closer to the correct year, so it is less certain that the nameplate was added later. It might be original. How is the name plate attached in you trailer?

[azflycaster]

The Airstream Co ran the caravans back in those days and not the WBCCI. Maybe the company gave these to people who attended out of the country caravans. If the only made 7 World Traveler trailers, they would have had a bunch of badges sitting around. Just a thought....

[bobwire]

I will post more photos on 12-22-07 now that the World Taveler? has arrived. I would like to add a bit of thanks to all that have been intrested and given feedback and input. Look forward to learning more.

[flyfshr]

Looks like your profile in your avatar arrea needs to be updated too. Can't wait to see more pictures of this unique trailer.

Brad
FF

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by flyfshr

Looks like your profile in your avatar arrea needs to be updated too.

I suspect there is not currently an avatar category for your trailer. I'll work on that ... or PM to remind me in a couple days.

[bobwire]

As promised..........(street-side and curb-side) this is in as found condition.

[bobwire]

Look what else was discovered......

[azflycaster]

Looks to me like you have a World Traveler for sure!

Your trailer looks very good, but a little rough around the edges. Keep us updated as you clean that baby up!